New York - Last week New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of the New York State Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus (HWB) Program, a state-sponsored effort to recognize the contributions of front-line healthcare workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s HWB Program is another way to recognize those providing direct patient care who have contributed so much over the last two and a half years and complements previous bonus payments and recognition Northwell has provided to front-line care team members.
While the United Federation LEOS-PBA praises the NYS Governor Kathy Hochul for recognizing these frontline hospital workers for risking their health & lives during the pandemic, our Union United Federation LEOS-PBA had noted that while the list of eligible worker titles includes every single category designated in a hospital from Assistant Program or Assistant Site Directors, Case Managers, Certified First Responders, Mental Hygiene workers, Nurses, Therapists, Technologists, Technicians, Clerks Building Service Workers, Dietary Aides and Custodians one title that is NOT included in this New York State Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus (HWB) Program is security officers. See the full list here.
With that said the United Federation LEOS-PBA through our attorneys have taken immediate action by notifying NYS Governor Kathy Hochul that hospital security officers also worked the frontline during this pandemic and they to should given the RESPECT they all deserve by including them in New York State Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus (HWB) Program. See letter below written by our attorney Jon Axelrod of Beins, Axelrod & Keating, P.C.
New York's essential front line health care and mental hygiene workers have seen us through a once-in-a-century public health crisis and turned our state into a model for battling and beating COVID-19.
To attract talented people into the profession at a time of such significant strain, while also retaining those who have been working so tirelessly these past two years, we must recognize the efforts of our health care and mental hygiene workforce and reward them financially for their service. To do so, as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Executive Budget legislation, $1.2 billion in funding has been allocated for the payment of bonuses for certain frontline healthcare workers.
Located within Part ZZ of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, the HWB provision allows for the payment of bonuses to "recruit, retain, and reward health care and mental hygiene workers" meeting specified eligibility requirements. Bonus amounts will be commensurate with the number of hours worked by eligible workers covered by the HWB Program during designated vesting periods for up to a total of $3,000 per covered worker.
The official New York State press release can be found at the following link: Governor Hochul Launches Health Care Worker Bonus Program.
Additional eligibility criteria
Bonuses will be awarded to eligible workers whose annualized base salary is $125,000 or less (excluding any bonuses or overtime pay) and work in an eligible position for at least six months. Bonus payment amounts are based on the number of hours worked during the program’s five defined vesting periods as outlined in the table below.
If you wish to join or form a security union at your workplace them please join the United Federation LEOS-PBA Law Enforcement Officers Security & Police Benefit Association the true authority of Law Enforcement, Protective Service Officers, Special Police Officers, Security Police Officers, Nuclear Security Officers, K9 Handlers, Hospital Security Officers, Security Guards and Security Professionals nationwide. Contact us today @ 1-800-516-0094 or visit our website @ www.LEOSPBA.org
Organizing: 1-800-516-0094
United Federation LEOS-PBA (202) 595-3510